Consumer Reports reviews the Fiat 500e

The Fiat 500e is Chrysler’s California ‘compliance’ vehicle to meet the CARB mandate. According to Consumer Reports, however, unlike some other electric vehicles, Chrysler didn’t just pump out an EV, they “sweated the details and came up with an EV that’s fun and appealing.”

The Fiat 500e has a 24 kWh battery pack located under the floor and a single charge range of 80 miles. With a 240V charger, Fiat says the charge time is about 4 hours.

Although the Fiat 500e with it’s battery pack weighs more than the gasoline powered Fiat 500, Consumer Reports says the extra weight actually helped “tame the ride’s choppiness.” The Fiat 500e feels “punchy, smooth, and effortless” and handling is “tossable and agile.”

The EPA estimates the Fiat 500e at 108 MPGe.

Set to go on sale in California in the summer of 2013, the Fiat 500e is estimated to be priced in the mid $30 thousands.

According to Fiat USA’s website, the 500e arrives at Fiat studios in California in the second quarter of 2013.